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The purpose of this study is to see if fetal head circumference can be used as a predictor for who will experience a sphincter laceration while delivering.

Condition or disease

Anorectal Sphincter LacerationPelvic Floor Dysfunction

Detailed Description:

Even though much work has been invested in trying to identify risk factors that can predict which population will suffer from sphincter tears and other pelvic floor trauma, the epidemiology is still poorly understood. Factors that have been implicated to include operative vaginal delivery, birth weight, and primaparity. Up to this point little focus has been placed on antenatal factors that would help predict and prevent sphincter disruptions. At the time of birth the infant's head is the largest part of the body. Thus, head circumference of the infant may be able to predict which subjects is more likely to suffer from sphincter disruption. Thus, this study aims to determine whether or not fetal head circumference measured antenatally is predictive of pelvic floor trauma.

Fetal head circumference and position, maternal pelvis, infant weight, maternal weight, length of the second stage, the incidence of sphincter tears as diagnosed by transvaginal ultrasound as well as the incidence of fecal urgency and incontinence. [ Time Frame: 6 Months ]

Secondary Outcome Measures
:

The magnitude of the effect of other factors such as maternal obesity, maternal age, duration of labor and pelvimetry on the risk of anorectal lacerations will be examined. [ Time Frame: 6 Months ]

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Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years and older (Adult, Senior)

Sexes Eligible for Study:

Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Sampling Method:

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Women in 36 weeks and upto 42 weeks of pregnancy

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Primiparous subjects at least 18 years of age

Gestational age greater than or equal to 36 weeks and upto 42 weeks gestation

Subjects must have give written informed consent to participate in this study

Subjects must be planning to deliver at UCI

Exclusion Criteria:

Subjects less than 18 years of age

Subjects with a previous delivery

Subjects with previous colorectal surgery or hemorrhoidal surgery

Subjects with a history of irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease